Device for



Nov. 23 1926.

E. BUCKINGHAM DEVICE FOR GENERATING GLOBOIDAL WORMS 'Filed June 25, 1924 2- Sheets-5heet 1.

Nov. 23 ISFZG;

Filed June 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q-1 wm .3 mm

mm mm m EK w M? r||L 3. NM J. wm w E @w NW Ww NW av WW I TTORIIEY Patented Nov. 7 23, 1926.

UNITE!) STA'lZEg PATENT QFFIQE.

EARLE BUCKINGHAM, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO PRATT & WHITNEY COMPANY, OF NEVJ YORK, N. Y. A CGRPOEATIGN (3F NEW JERSEY.

DEVICE FOR. GENERATING G-LOBOIDAL W'ORL'IS.

Application filed June 23,

This invention relates to a device for.

grinding wormsand particularly to a grinding device for generating a type of worm disclosed and claimed in the patent to VVildhaber No. 1,514.491 dated November st, 192%.

An object of the present invention is to provide a grinding device particularly adapted for generating this special form of worm and which will be applicable to a conventional'formof engine lathe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a precision grinding device for the tooth flanks of a worm of novel form which will permit the novel form of worm to be generated to a high precision by means of a simple attachment mounted upon a lathe or other form of machine tool.

One feature which enablesme to accomplish the above named objects is that means i j to rotate the, worm blank are provided on the lathe, and means for oscillating an abrasive or cutting wheel about an axis adapted to be adjusted and inpredetermined position relative to the worm is provided.

Another feature which is advantageous is that the oscillating movement of the abrasive or cutting wheel is obtained by the longitudinal movement of thelathe tool carriage and its attached mechanism.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a worm generating device which will be adjustable for different diameters of worms and also for single and multiple thread worms adapted to operate in combination with worm wheels of any diameter, numberand inclination of teeth.

A further object of the invention is to provide a special mounting on the oscillating means for the abrasive wheel and an adjustable wheel head which will permit the abra sive wheel to be rotatably mounted on its oscillating table, the axis of rotation being adjustable in a directionnormal to the axis of oscillation of the table carrying the head.

Also,-preferably, means for mounting a grinding wheel upon opposite ends of its spindle are provided so that with the wheel in one position, the flanks on one side of the worm teeth may be ground and, with the wheel mounted at the opposite end of its spindle and in opposed position, the flanks upon the opposite sides of the teeth may be ground.

With these and other objects n view, my invention consists in the features at erablv inthe form of 1924:. Serial No. 721,864.

struction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown my invention embodied as an attachment for an engine lathe, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a plan view of the entire device moun ed upon an engine lathe, parts of the lathe being also shown, and

Fig. 2 is a transverse elevation in section, the section being taken through the pivot of the oscillating table carrying the abrasive wheel.

In the above mentioned drawings, I have shown but one embodiment of the invention which is now deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Briefly, and in its broadest aspect, my invention consists in the following principal parts: first, an engine lathe or other machine tool having-means for rotating a work blank upon a fixed axis at varying speeds and havins slide or carriage movable longitudinally along the base of the machine, the movements of the carriage being in timed relation to the rotative movement of the work spindle; second, a bracket or support mounted upon the base and having a slide adjustably mounted thereon so that it may be adjusted transversely of the base; third, an oscillating table pivotally mounted on the adjustable slide and having thereon a head carrving a rotatable abrasive wheel; fourth, adjusting means for this head on the oscillatins! table and means to angularly adjust the grinding wheel about an axis normal to the axis upon which the table may oscillate: fifth, oscillating means for the table prefgear mounted at the periphery of the oscillating table and sixth. a rack on the lathe carriage or slide adapted to mesh with this gear.

more in detail a, I i3 ill base 10, a headstock 11 and a headstock spindle 12 which may be rotated at any desired speed by any suitable means (not shown). Also on the lathe bed or base is a tailstocl: 13 having a tailstock spindle ll in alignment with the headstock spindle. By means of the headstock 12 and tailstock spindles 1 1 a worm blank lV may be rotatably mounted anc driven at any desired speed through the driving dog 15 shown in Fig. 1.

Adapted to be reciprocated along the lathe bed 10 is a tool carriage 16 and apron mecha nism '17 similar to those usually found on engine lathes. This carriage 1(3 provided with means for n'ioving it along the base 10 as by means of a rack 18 mounted on the 'bed in mesh with a pinion 19 on'the carriage 16. Rotation of the hand wheel 20 through intermediate gears (not shown) is adapted to manually rotate the pinion 19 and move the slide 16 and attached .parts longitudinally along the ways 21 of the lathe. Also, *pret erably, a lead screw 22 is provided extendin; parallelly with the ways 21 of the bed and adapted to be engaged by a split nut 23 secured on the carriage apron 17. It will be seen, therefore, that rotation of this screw 22 will advance the tool slide 16 and apron 17 back and forth along the lathe bed 10. 'As all of the above mentioned parts 'are -those usually found on engine lathes, no further "ription ot' them is thought to be neces- It may be said, however, tli'at by means oi driving connections between the headstock spindle 12 and the screw 22 the tool carriage 16 r be advanced along the base 10 at any predetermined speed relative to the rot-ative speed of the work spindle 12 and worl: blank lV, this ratio being varied by means of change gears (not shown forming; part of the engine lathe.

Trio-untied upon a rear vertical surface of the lathe bed is a bracket 25 suitably secured thereto by means 0t clamping screws 26. This bracket 25 is provided on its upper horizontal surface with suitable ways 27 along which a slide 28 may be adjusted. In order to adjust this slide 28. a screw 29 is provided rotatably mounted in an extension ot' the bracltet and engaging" a nut 30 in the slide 28. ll lovement of this slide 28 is in a direction exactly normal to the axis of rotation ot' the work as determined by the head and tailstocl; spindles 12 and ll of the lathe. lilountedneatthe forward end oi this s ide 28 is a vertical pin 'or pivot 31 upon which is pivotally mounted an oscillatory carriage or table 32.

it will be seen from this description that the position of the pivot 31 and therefore the center of oscillation of the table may be adjust laterally toward or from the axis ro- .ion'ol the work lank W. By clamping or bolts 33, slide may be ret lned firmly in position. In order to oscil ate this carriage or table 32, a segto be oscillated in timed relation thereto.

Also as the rotation of the work lV is in timed relation to the longitudinal movement of the tool carriage 16, the table 32 will be oscillated intimed relation to the rotation of the work WV.

As clearly indicated in Fig. 2,-the rack 35 is carried upon slide which is adjustable laterally upon the tool carriage 16. By means of this slide 36, the rack 35 may be intermeshed with thegear 3i upon the oscillating tablc 2-32 tter the oscillating table has been adjusted to exactly its correct position for the particular worm W to be ground. or each position of the slide 3-6 and verti *al sin 31, the slide 36 carrying the rack 35 must we correspondingly adjusted so that the rack will engage and actuate the-gear on he oscillating abiy mounted in the table and engaging a nut mounted in the slide. Mounted on this slide are ways 4-1 extending normally to thedircction'ot the ways 38 upon which the slide 53:) moves, and on which may be mounted a suitable wheel carrying head 42. In order to adjust this head 42 along the l1 o-t the slide 30 an adjusting screw 13 is provided. The wheel head upon its t'orward vertical surface provided with vertica y ersrend'ing ways l t in which a slide s) maybe adjusted by means of a screw d6 and nut all. This slide 4-5 is provided with arcuate slots 48 by means 01' which a wheel support; 49 may be angularly adjusted to any oblique position in which position it may be clamped by screws 50. On this support l9 an elongated spindle 51 ha ing wheel attaching means at its opposite ends and a dri irg pulley termcdiate portions of the supporting member 19.

lVith an abrasiye wheel mounted upon one end of the wheel spindle 51. it may be adjusted by means of the slides above described to contact with and abrade one side of thescrew thread projection on the worm W being ground. To abrade the optable This adjustment is t sutured to be made but once for each worm 53 positioned inposite side of the flanks or projection on the worm V, the abrasive wheel'5a is mounted upon the opposite end of its spindle 51 in reversed position as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1.

The abrasive wheel or wheels 54 on a spindle contact with the worm V being ground upon a .flator plane surface normal to their axis of rotat on. In order to maintain this work engaging surface of the wheel 54 precisely. in its proper position and relation, a

dressing device 55 may be used, thatshown in F g.1 being a bar having a diamond 05- set near one end. This bar 1s adapted to be manually reciprocated while resting upon surfaces providedtherefor on parts secured to thewheel support &9. Preferably, such supports are provided adjacentboth ends' analysisof the operations will be given.

The worm blank V is first mounted upon the spindles l2 and 14 of the lathe and the tool carriage 16 has its screw 22 connected by. suitable gears (not shown) to the spindle 12 so that rotationof the worm blank V in opposite directions will reciprocate the tool slide 16 and parts attached thereto. For this purpose mechanism shown in patent to Ingham et al. No. 1,501,346 granted July 15, 1924 may be used. It will be understood, however, that any standard form of screw threading lathe may be employed having a carriage reciprocated by a lead screw. The oscillating table 16 is then ad justed so that its axis of oscillation determined by the position of the vertical pin 81 will be at a predetermined distance from the axis ofrotation of the work blank W. To

' facilitate making this adjustment, calipering pins 56 are mounted at one side of the device, one beingsecured in the bracket 25 and the. other in the slide 28 carrying the pivot 31 for the oscillating table 32. By

means of a micrometer contactingwith these pins. adjustments of the pivot 31 may be quickly and accurately made.

Vith the oscillating table 32 accurately positioned, the rack 35 is advanced-by means of its adjusting slide 36 so that it will con- .tact with the gear 34 at the periphery of the oscillating table 32. 'Rotation of the work V by the spindles 12 and let will therefore oscillate the table 32 inopposite direc tions in accordance with the recipi'ocatory movements of the tool carriage 16.

To correctly position the abrasive wheel 5% relative to the axis of oscillation of the table 32 after the table has been adjusted, the slide 39 on the table 32 is advanced to a position so that the periphery of the wheel willengage the flank of the worm V being ground. This distance will vary materially with different diameters of worms. The transverse slide 42 carrying wheel Sa is adjusted so that the normal distance between the plane work engaging surfade of the wheel 5% is at precisely the correct distance from the axis of oscillation of the table 32. The wheel carrying, support 49 may also be swivelled to an oblique position if the particular worm being ground is to mesh with a worm wheel having obliquely formed teeth. Vith this adjustment made, the parts are in position for operation. Thisv is accomplished by rotating the work blank V in one direction with the wheel 54in advanced position and in contact with the worm V. Thus, the wheel 54 is made to contact with one flank of the projection on the worm V while in engagement therewith throughout its length. The slide 39 is then manually withdrawn slightly so that the wheel 5atis out of contact with the work V. Rotation of the work V in the opposite direction then oscillates the'table 32 in a reverse direction bringing the wheel 54: back to its initial position. With the wheel 54: again in this po sition, the slide 39 is again advanced and the operations repeated. ihen this flank of theworm V has'been completely ground to predetermined position, the abrasive wheel 54 is removed from one end of its spindle 51 and replaced oppositely disposed at the. other end of'the spindle. The worl engaging surface then may be properly dressed again by means of the bar 55 and the table 32 osciliated to a position where the wheel 54 will contact with the work V. The operations are then carried out with the wheel 54: at this end of the spindle 51 in the same manner as those previously described.

It will be understood that a number of different types of worms V may be generated in this machine adapted to contact with teeth on a worm wheel having plane surfaces. he worm may be of the multiple thread type or may be adapted to contact with teeth on a worm wheel. disposed obliquely relative to its axis.

Vhat I claim is: i

1. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination. a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank about a fixed axis, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, and means connecting said carriage and table whereby movement of said carriagewill oscillate said table in timed rela-'- tion to the movement of the carriage.

2. A device for grinding worms comprismg in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank about a fixed axis, an oscillating. table having an abrasive llfi wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, and gear means connecting said carriage and table whereby move ment of said carriage will oscillate said table in timed relation to the movement of the carriage.

3. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank about a fixed axis, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon, means to axially adjust the position of said wheel on said table. a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, and means connecting said carriage and table whereby movement of said carriage will oscillate said table in timed relation to the movement of the carriage.

l. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank, a support having a pivot outstanding therefrom, a table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to be oscillated about said pivot, means to laterally adjust the position of the support, and means to oscillate said table in timed relation to the rota tion of the work.

5. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank, a support hav ing a pivot outstanding therefrom, a table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to oscillate about said pivot, means to laterally adjust the position of the support, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, and means connecting said table and carriage whereby movement of said carriage will oscillate said table.

6. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank, a support having a pivot outstanding therefrom, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, means to move said carriage in timed relation to the rotation of the worm blank, and means connecting said table and carriage whereby movement of said carriage will oscillate said table.

7. A device for grinding worms eompris ing in combination, a base, means thereon "for rotating a worm blank, a bracket supported on said base, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon supported on said bracket. means to laterally adjust the position 0t the table whereby its axis of oscillation may be adjusted toward or from the axis of the worm blank, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, and rack and gear means connecting said table and carriage whereby movement of said cariage will oscillate said table in timed relation thereto.-

8. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank, a. bracket supported on said base, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon supported on saidbracket, means to laterally adjust the position of the table, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis ct the work, means to move said carriage in timed relation to the rotation of the worm blank, and means connecting said table and carriage whereby movement of said carriage will oscillate said table.

9. A device for grinding worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank, a bracket supported on said base, an oscillating table having an abrasive wneel rotatably mounted thereon supported on said bracket, means to adjust the position of the wheel on said table, a carriage movable in a'direc't-io'n parallel to the axis of the work, and means connecting said table and carriage whereby movement of said carriage will oscillate said table.

10. r device for generating the tooth engaging surfaces of worms comprising in combination, a base, means thereon for rotating a worm blank, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the work, and means drivingly connecting the blank rotating means, the carriage and table whereby they may be moved in timed relation to each other.

11. A device for generating the tooth engaging surfaces of worms comprising in combination, base, means thereon tor rotating; a worm blank, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mount ed thereon, means to adjust the position of the wheel thereon. a carriage movable in a direction parallel to the. axis of the work, and means drivi-ngly connecting the blank rotating means, the carriage and the table whereby they may be moved in timed relation to each other.

A device "for generating the tooth engaging surfaces of worms comprisingin combination, base, means thereon for rotating worm blank, an oscillating table having an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted thereon, means to adjust the axis of rotation of said table toward and from the axis of rotation or" the work blank, carriage movable in a direction parallel. to the axis ot the work, and means drivingly connecting the blank rotating means, the carriage and table whereby they may be moved in timed relation to each other.

l3. An fibtW'llll'lGnt tor lath-es comprisingin combination, a support adapted to be mounted "upon the. base of the lathe,- a pivot ad thereon so that it is free to oscillate about said pivot, an abrasive wheel on said table, and means on said table engaging the tool carriage of the lathe whereby reciprocating the carriage will oscillate the table and wieel in timed relation to the movement of the carriage.

Ll. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a support adapted to be mounted upon the base of the lathe, a pivot adj ustably mounted thereon, a table mounted thereon so that it is free to oscillate about said pivot, means to adjust the position of said pivot, an abrasive wheel on said table, and means on said table engaging the tool carriage of the lathe whereby reciprocating the carriage will oscillate the table andv Wheel.

15. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a bracket adapted to be mounted upon the base of the lathe, a cross slide adjustable on said bracket and carrying a pivot at its inner end, a table mounted so that it is free to oscillate about said pivot, an abrasive wheel on said table, means on said table engaging the tool carriage of the lathe whereby reciprocating the carriage will oscillate the. table and wheel.

16. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a bracket adapted to be' mounted upon the base of the lathe, a cross slide adjustable oh said bracket and carrying a pivot at its inner end, a table mounted thereon so that it is free to oscillate about said pivot, an abrasive. wheel on said table, means to adjust said wheel in all directions on said table, and means on said table engaging the tool carriage of the lathe whereby reciprocating the carriage will oscillate the table and wheel.

17. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a bracket adapted to be mounted upon the base of the lathe, a table mountedthereon so that it is free to oscillate about an axis normal to the axis of rotation of the work, a slide on said table adjustable toward and from the axis of rotation of the table, an abrasive wheel on said slide, and means on said table adapted to engage the tool carriage of the lathe whereby reciprocating the carriage will oscillate the table and wheel.

18. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a bracket adapted to be mounted upon the base of the lathe, a table mounted thereon so that it is free to oscillate about a. pivot mounted on said bracketand adjustable relative thereto, a slide on said table adjustable toward and from said pivot, an abrasive wheel on said slide, said slide permitting the wheel to oscillate about said pivot with its abrasive surface at any distance therefrom, and means to adjust the position of the wheel on said table vertically and angularly.

19. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a support adapted to be mounted upon the base of the lathe, a table mounted thereon so that it may oscillate about a pivot mounted on said support, a slide on said table adjustable toward and from said pivot, a wheel head having an abrasive wheel thereon adjustably mounted on said slide whereby the wheel may be adjusted laterally, said slide and head permitting the wheel to oscillate about said pivot with its abrasive surface at any distance from the pivot and at any angle to the direction of movement of the slide.

20. An attachment for lathes comprising in combination, a support adapted to be mounted upon the base of the lathe, a table mounted thereon so that it may oscillate about a pivot mounted on said support, a slide on said table adjustable toward and from said pivot, a wheel head having an abrasive Wheel thereon adjustably mounted on said slide whereby the wheel may be ad justed laterally, said slide and head ermitting the wheel to oscillate about said pivot with its abrasive surface at any distance from the pivot and at any angle to the direction of movement of the slide, sald wheel head permitting adjustment of said wheel vertically and angularly.

In testimony whereof, 1 hereto aiiix my signature.

EARLE BUCKINGHAM. 

